Apollo Super IV

[Dangermouse]

Apollo super IV, with mahogany case. In same family from new. Came with its original sales brochure. Just about in as new condition. With the "all aluminium resonance chamber", cost new, £21.00.....I didnt realise Apollo made such fine machines. Most I have come across have been on the cheap end of things, but they must have been made at maybe the end of the comapnys life. The brouchure lists some fine machines and this Super IV is a stunningly well made machine. My my though it certainly pumps out the sound, one of the loudest I've come across. I thought my Gilbert had good volume, but this Apollo will burst your ear drums ...lol. I will strip, clean and re-lubricate the motor though as its running a tad slow, I dont think the soundbox needs messing with as its working fine.

[Steve]

I've recently bought this exact same model, the Super 4.

Its the top of the range of the "Super" models, I believe? The build quality is excellent and the horn system is a real piece of engineering art.

As you say, the sound is amazing. This range inspired the later HMV saxophone horn models.

I'm still slightly envious though as your example has pristine original finish to the outside. Mine has faded badly but someone has gone over it with deep red stain and French polish to reinvigorate the look. Unfortunately they did a rough job and it doesn't look good at all. It needs a complete strip and refinish to the outside. As is quite typical of clueless UK auctioneers they simply described it as slightly faded to the rear - the only part of the outside which hasn't been covered over with the streaky red stain / polish.

This is a great machine. Would it be possible to post a full and clean scan of each of those two pages here please as I'd like to download a copy if possible.

[Dangermouse]

Hi, Steve.
If you PM me your email, i will send you a hi res scan of the pages for you to print off. I have had a couple of gramophones " refinished " like yours. I do wish people wouldn't just slap on stuff not knowing a thing about what they are doing!! Yes the Super 4 was top of the range at that time, Apollo did bring in the Super 5 later on in the early 1930's i think, although I don't know what the improvements were over the Super 4.

[Steve]

Thank you very much!

I don't understand what the "Super 5" was if it didn't materialise until the 1930s. I believe the Apollo name was defunct by then but more to the point, acoustic machines were becoming obsolete anyway and being replaced with electrically operated and amplifying equipment.

[Dangermouse]

Not sure of the date, may have been late 1920's, it was the last super model they made.

[Primuspip1]

i have the earlier version with paper mache horn and its really quiet

[Steve]

i have the earlier version with paper mache horn and its really quiet

Apollo made a "deep tone resonator" out of papier mache? Pictures please!

[epigramophone]

Here is a Super IX coming up for auction in Lincolnshire. Apollo patented their saxophone "Deep Tone Resonator" horn years before HMV introduced their version with a blaze of "Listen to the bass!" publicity.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... fe016a1f98

[Steve]

That's interesting. Very interesting. So Apollo continued with its Deep Tone Resonator into the late 20s / early 30s, which is the period of the IX coming up for auction, I'd say.

Obviously this model was in contention with Decca's Salon models, the HMV re-entrants and Columbia Viva Tonal cabinet models.

I can't believe how they got away with copying the lid and door style of an HMV 194 though!

I wish we could see what's behind the grille. Unusually for an auctioneer they're showing all sides of the cabinet and the inside. They've also described it correctly. I'm sure they'll stop short of removing the grille though, but credit where it's due they've elevated themselves well above the (admittedly appallingly low) standard of the majority of UK auctioneers with this item. Let's hope they start a trend.

It's a great looking machine. If I had space to create my own cabinet gramophone museum I'd definitely buy it.

[Inigo]

Yes, a magnificent machine. It looks sober and elegant, and sure it will sound very well!